Measuring instrument.



J. H. DONOVAN & W. J. FORSYTH.

MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

B APPLICATION FILED FEBJI, 1914.

Patented M21112, 1915 awve wto'cs +JRMESH DON OVHN THE NORRIS PETERS C0PHUTO-LITHOI, WASHING FUN n. c.

JAIVIES H. DONOVAN AND NILLIAIVI 5'.

ronsvrn, on nnrnano, NEW YORK.

Mnnsunrne Inseam/rune.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Application filed. February 11, 1314. Serial No. 818,158.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, James H. DONOVAN and VIILLIAM J. FoRsYrrI, citizensof the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMeasuring Instruments, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in measuringinstruments and more particularly to a flexible instrument formed of aplurality of pivotally connected sections having a handle memberconnected to one end of the instrument, the object of the inventionbeing to provide an instrument of the above character which isparticularly adapted for use in measuring pipe holes for cutting and infact can be used for measuring anything from a circle to a square.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a measuringinstrument of the above character which will possess advantages inpoints of elliciency and durability, is inexpensive to manufacture andat the same time is simple in construction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel features of construction and the combination and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claimand shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a planview of a measuring instrument constructed in accordance with ourinvention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan viewillustrating the device as adapted to be applied to a circular object;and Fig. at is a transverse sectional View taken through the pivotalconnection.

In carrying out our invention, we form the body portion 1 of theinstrument of a plurality of sections indicated at 2, each sectionformed of a flat piece of sheet metal of a substantial length, thicknessand width and rounded at each end, as shown at 3, 3. In connecting thesections 2 together, we provide a plurality of connecting plates 4, theends of which are arranged along side the ends of the sections 2 and arepivotally connected to the ends of the sections 2 by means of theremovable screws 5, said screws forming suitable pivots upon which thesections 2 are adapted to swing.

The sections of the body 1 are graduated,

as illustrated at 6, so that when the sections are arranged in circularrelation or in any other position, the measurement of an opening,circle, square or the like may be readily taken. It will be noted thatthe sections of the body 1 are so connected that they may be readilyarranged in any desired position when cutting a circle, arc, oval,square, or any other desired shape. It will be noted that the section atthe inner end of the body 1 is preferably squared off and adapted to bepivotally connected between the two spaced ears 7 formed at one end ofthe handle member 8. The section at the outer end of the body portion 1is rounded off, as shown at 9, similar to the rounding portions 3 of thesections 2. The handle member 8 is formed of a flat piece of metal andis preferably of the same width as the body portion of the instrument sothat the handle and the body portion may be arranged in longitudinalalinement to present a perfectly straight line. It will be noted that byarranging the body portionl and the handle member 8 in longitudinalalinement, the person using the measuring instrument will have'astraight edge to work upon.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be readily apparent that we have provided a measuringinstrument which is particularly adapted for use by carpenters, stonemasons, tinsmiths and glaziers and is so constructed that the personusing the same may readily adjust the body portion of the instrument tothe position or angle which is desired to be out. It will be noted thatthe sections of the instrument are pivotally connected so that there issufficient friction between the sections to retain the same in anadjusted position after being manually moved to such position. It willbe noted that we have provided an advantageous feature over priordevices of this character wherein the body portion of the instrument andthe handle are arranged in longitudinal alinement to present a straightedge and also to provide a device which can be quickly and readilyfolded against the handle so that the same will occupy comparativelysmall space when not in use. It will also be apparent from the abovethat the device is extremely simple in construction and can bemanufactured at comparatively low cost.

'preferred form of our invention, it will be obvious that Variouschanges in thedetails of construction and in the proportions may beresorted to for successfully carrying our invention intopractice-without sacrificing, any of the novel features ordepartin'g'fr'o'm the scope of the appendedvclaimp What we claim is Thecombination with a handle member having spaced ears formed in itsouterend, of a flexible body formed of a plurality-ofpivotally connectedsections, said sections being friotionally engaged with one another,whereby theywill be retained inanefiective V positionafter beingplacedinsuoh position,

the innermost of said sections havinga reda rggaitn adapted to be?fitted'hetween the spaced ears ofthe handlefand means for: securing theinnermost section to the handle, the longitudinal edgesof theflexiblebody being disposed in alinement with the longitudinal edges of;the handle, whereby a continuous line may be drawn along the" handle andbody member.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aflix our signatures inthe-presence oftw'o witnesses.-

JAMES H; DONOVAN. 7 WILLIAM J. FORSYTH. Witnesses:

WILLIAM J.- LOAD,--; JNO.- J. RYAN."

' Copies of this patent may-be obtained .Ior five cents each;byaddressingthe Commissioner of Patents, r 7 Washington, D.,0. V

